Apple Urges Users to Update to iOS 9.3.5

Apple Urges Update to iOS 9.3.5

Journalists can thank Ahmed Mansoor, a United Arab Emirates dissident, Toronto's Citizen Lab and the security company Lookout, for alerting Apple to a security flaw in the iPhone 6. The spyware allows a hacker to take full control of an individual's device, to log activity and calls, and to track an individual's location.

Journalists can thank Ahmed Mansoor, a United Arab Emirates dissident, Toronto’s Citizen Lab and the security company Lookout, for alerting Apple to a security flaw in the iPhone 6. After receiving numerous texts of suspicious nature, Mr. Mansoor forwarded the messages to Citizen Lab, who confirmed that the texts contained spyware. The flaw allowed hackers to take full control of Mr. Mansoor’s device, to log activity and to track his physical location.

Referring to the vulnerabilities as Trident, Lookout wrote in an August 25, 2016 blog post that the companies “uncovered an active threat using three critical iOS zero-day vulnerabilities that, when exploited, form an attack chain that subverts even Apple’s strong security environment.”

Citizen’s Lab believes Trident was developed by an Israeli-based company, NSO Group, which was acquired by U.S. based Francisco Partners Management in 2010.

NSO Group describes itself as a “unique company” responsible for “unique developments” in security on mobile and PC platforms.

Dipanjan Deb, the CEO and founding partner of Francisco Partners, also has investments in K2, a business application platform; Plex, a provider of cloud technology for manufacturers; and, Ichor Systems, which develops microelectronic semiconductor chips.

Apple is urging users to immediately update to iOS 9.3.5., which Apple released on Thursday, August 25, 2016. Users can visit Apple’s site or update their device through settings on the device.